Obituary for Mr. Robert Francis Smith
ROBERT FRANCIS SMITH
Mr Robert Francis Smith, age 67 of Thunder Bay, Ontario passed away at home on December 26th 2020.
Rob was born on April 17th 1953 in Montreal, Quebec to Arthur and Barbara Joan
Smith. The family spent time living in Pakistan when Rob was younger while his father Arthur held a job position there. After graduating from Karachi American School in Pakistan, he travelled back to Canada where he found himself living in Thunder Bay.
It was in this city that he began a career as a Welder which spanned over 3 decades, during which time he worked for Pascal Engineering as a ship welder at the shipyard. He was an active member of the workers union and also held a position as a health and safety instructor, where he travelled the province to deliver courses to fellow colleagues. In 1979 he met Georgina Blanshard who he later married in 1981 and together they went on to have 2 sons, Rafer and Logan.
After retiring from the Shipyard when the company dissipated in 2014, Rob continued to keep himself busy by volunteering and later working for the Salvation Army. He finally retired from his position at the Salvation Army in 2019.
He dedicated much of his time to raising his two sons to the best of his ability. Rob was a very reserved and private individual although he enjoyed many home comforts. He was an avid reader, a trait which he passed down to his son Rafer. He was always first in line to see new movie releases, enjoying a double feature on occasion. He spent many Sunday afternoons over the last few years watching baseball with his son Logan and sharing their favourite pizza. In 2017 he proudly became a grandfather for the first time, preferring to be called Gigi. He was able to spend time with his first grandchild when his son Rafer and family made visits to Canada in 2018 and 2019. His second grandchild was born in 2020 and although he was not able to meet him in person, he used technology to keep in touch and was able to ‘see’ him throughout the year in this way.
Rob was predeceased by his father Arthur and his sister Pamela.
He is survived by his sons Rafer and Logan, his daughter-in-law Karina, and his grandchildren Skylah Grace and Nicholas Robert; his mother Joan, his sister Heather, his brother Paul, his nieces, nephew, cousins and other extended family.
Rob will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends as a son, a brother, an uncle, a father, a cousin, a friend, and a grandfather.
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 Gore Street West at James.
If friends so desire, donations in Rob’s memory may be made to The Salvation Army.
Mr Robert Francis Smith, age 67 of Thunder Bay, Ontario passed away at home on December 26th 2020.
Rob was born on April 17th 1953 in Montreal, Quebec to Arthur and Barbara Joan
Smith. The family spent time living in Pakistan when Rob was younger while his father Arthur held a job position there. After graduating from Karachi American School in Pakistan, he travelled back to Canada where he found himself living in Thunder Bay.
It was in this city that he began a career as a Welder which spanned over 3 decades, during which time he worked for Pascal Engineering as a ship welder at the shipyard. He was an active member of the workers union and also held a position as a health and safety instructor, where he travelled the province to deliver courses to fellow colleagues. In 1979 he met Georgina Blanshard who he later married in 1981 and together they went on to have 2 sons, Rafer and Logan.
After retiring from the Shipyard when the company dissipated in 2014, Rob continued to keep himself busy by volunteering and later working for the Salvation Army. He finally retired from his position at the Salvation Army in 2019.
He dedicated much of his time to raising his two sons to the best of his ability. Rob was a very reserved and private individual although he enjoyed many home comforts. He was an avid reader, a trait which he passed down to his son Rafer. He was always first in line to see new movie releases, enjoying a double feature on occasion. He spent many Sunday afternoons over the last few years watching baseball with his son Logan and sharing their favourite pizza. In 2017 he proudly became a grandfather for the first time, preferring to be called Gigi. He was able to spend time with his first grandchild when his son Rafer and family made visits to Canada in 2018 and 2019. His second grandchild was born in 2020 and although he was not able to meet him in person, he used technology to keep in touch and was able to ‘see’ him throughout the year in this way.
Rob was predeceased by his father Arthur and his sister Pamela.
He is survived by his sons Rafer and Logan, his daughter-in-law Karina, and his grandchildren Skylah Grace and Nicholas Robert; his mother Joan, his sister Heather, his brother Paul, his nieces, nephew, cousins and other extended family.
Rob will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends as a son, a brother, an uncle, a father, a cousin, a friend, and a grandfather.
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 Gore Street West at James.
If friends so desire, donations in Rob’s memory may be made to The Salvation Army.